Morris tribune., 1887-12-21

sleep and the coat that covers our backs ID
not a wise policy for the national govern
nent to enforce .-t
"Do you think if the presidents recommen-
dation were adopted it would Increase our
export trades"
POSSIBLY in some few articles OF peculiar
construction it might, but it would increase
our import trade ten fold as much in the
great staple fabrics, in wooden and cotton
goods, in iron, in steel, in all the thousand
and ono shapes in which they arc wrought,
How are we to export staple fabrics to the
markets Of Europe unless I'VE make them
cheaper than they do ia EUROPE, and how are
we to manufacture them cheaper than they
do in Europe unless we get cheaper labor
than they have in Europem . a 81
THE LABOR oUEsTIoN-Irs VITAL 1MroR-
1. s&8& Ia TANcR. "a rt.s
Then you think that the question of labor
underlies the whole subiect" "Of course it
does" replied Mr. Blains. 1T is, i'll fact,
the entire question. Whenever we can force
carpenters, masons, ironworkcrs and mcchan-
les in every department to work as cheaply
and live as poorly in the United States,
as similar worknen in Europe, we
can, of course manufacture just as cheaply
am totally opposed to policy that would en-
tail such results. To attempt it is sequiva-
lent to a social and financial revolution,
one that would bring untold distressn
{ "Yes, but might not the great farming
class be benefited by importing articles from
Europe instead of buying them at higher
prices at homer
The moment" answered Mr.. Blaine, 'you
begin to import freely from Europe you
drive our own worlImen from mechanical
and manufacturing pursuits. In the same
proportion they become tillers of the soil, in
creasing steadily the agricultural product
and decreasing steadily the large home de-
mand which is constantly enlarging as home
manufacturers enlarge. That, of course,
works great injury to the farmer, Quitting
the market with his products and tending
constantly to lower prices"
WHAT WOULD BECOME OF THE FARMERsl
''Yes, but the foreign demand for farm
products would be increased in like ratio,
would it not!'
Even suppose it were," said Mr.. Blaine,
chow do you know the source from which it
will be supplied! The tendency i'll Russia
today, and III the Asiatic possessions of Eng
land is toward d large increase of the grain
supply, the grain being raised by the cheap
est possible labor Manufacturing coun-
tries will buy their breadstuffs where they
can get them cheapest, and the enlarg
ing of the home market for the American
farmer being checked he would search
in vain for one Of the same value.
His foreign sales are already checked by the
great competition abroad. There never was
time when the increase of large home
u o. L.,
proof is that the farmers are prosperous in
proportion to the nearness of manufacturing
centers, and a protective tariff tends to
spread manufactures. In Ohio and Indiana,
for example, though not classed as Elanufac-
turing states, the annual value of fabrics is
larger than the annual value of agricultural
products"
THE TARIFF or 1916 AND ITS RESULTS.
But those holding the presidents views,n
remarked the reporter, 'sare always quoting
the great prosperity of the country under the
tariff of 1876"
"That tariff did not involve the one de-
structive point recommended by the presi-
dent, namely the retaining Of direct internal
taxes in order to abolish indirect taxes levied
on foreign fabrics But the country had
peculiar advantages under it by the Crimean
and largely impairing their trade. All these
incidents, or accidents, if you choose, were
immensely stimulating to trade in the United
States, regardless of the nature of our tariff
But mark the end of this European expert
ence with the tariff Of 1916, which for time
gave an iuusory and deceptive show Of pros
perity Its enactment was Immediately fol-
lowed by tho Mexican war; then in 1913 by
the great Commissions OF Europe; then in 1910
and succeeding years by the enormous gold
yield in California The powers made peace
in 1856, and at the same time the outppv-ef
gold i'll California fell of. Immediately
the financial panic Of 1857 came upon
the county with disastrous force. Though
we had in these years mined a vast amount
of gold in California, every bank in New
York was compelled TO suspend specie pay
nlent Four hundred millions in gold had
been carried out of the country in eight years
to pay for foreign goods that should have
been manufactured at home, and We had
years of depression and distress as an atone
ment for our folly.
HISTORY REPEkTTN9< ITSELF.
st is remarkable that President Polk re-
commended the tariff of 1916 on precisely the
same ground that President Cleveland re-
commends similar enactment now, namely,
the surplus in the treasury was menacing the
prosperity of the country Historyis repeat
ing itself By the way" Mr.. Blaine added,
after a moments reflection, ''it is worth
notice that Mr. Polk insisted ON empty
ing the treasury by a free trade tariff,
then Immediately rushed the country
into debt by borrowing s15O,OOO,0O0
for the Mexican war. I trust moth
ing may occur to repeat so disastrous a
sequel to the policy recommended by Presi-
dent Cleveland But. the uniform fate has
been for fifty years past that the Democratic
party when it goes out of power always
leaves an empty treasury, and when it re-
turns to power always finds a full treasury"
HOW Mr.. BLAINE WOULD REDUCE THE
REVENUE.
'Then do you mean to imply that there
should be no reduction of, the national reve-
nueT' .e Is
"No, what have said implies the reverse.
I would reduce it by a prompt repeal Of the
tobacco tax and would make here and there
some changes in the tariff, not to reduce pro-
lection, but wisely foster it."
"Would you explain your meaning more
fully?'
81 mean," said Mr.. Blaine, "that no great
SYSTEM Of revenue like our tariff can operate
with efficiency, and equity unless the changes
of trade be closely watched and the law
promptly adapted to those changes But /
would make no change that should impair
the protective character of the whole body
of the tariff laws. Four years ago, in the
act Of 1888, we made changes of the eharac-
ter have tried to indicate. II such changes
were made, and the fortifying of our sea-
coast thus undertaken at a very moderate
annual outlay, no surplus would be found
after that already accumulated had been dis
posed of. The outlay Of money on fortifica-
tions, while doing great service to the coun-
try, would give good work to many men"
"But what about the existing sufplusF
1.-THE abstract of the message have seen,"
replied Mr.. Blaine, contains no reference to
that point / therefore make no comment
further. than to indorse Mr.. Fred kGrantis
remark that surplus is always easier to
handle than deficit"
POSSIBLE EFFECT OF THE PRESIDENTS
POLICY.